Page 42 of Four Times Forever

Chapter 32

Lily

Well, I took that back—the apology I didn't give, I mean. Because something might have been wrong with my eyes, but Eric's parents looked fine to me. Their smiles were wide and their eyes even wider. Suspicion prickled my skin, but as Eric leaned into his parents' hugs with a desperation that wiped away the anxiety he had worn since the moment we left the house, I reminded myself how well I knew invisible illnesses.

Just because someone is smiling on the outside, it doesn't mean they're well where it matters–inside their head. A lot of people are better at hiding it than Ryan is. It doesn't mean it's not there.

"So, you must be Lily!" Mrs. Fletcher's eyes lit up and she just about pulled me into the house as I hovered on the doorway entrance.

This was new to me. It even scared me a little. Erratic current rushed against the pads of my feet, up my spine and through my fingers. My heartbeat was a little unsteady. This wouldn't last long. Once they saw the real me, they wouldn't smile with me as easily. They'd begin to treat me just as most people had. Relax, Lily. It's just first-time jitters. And meeting the people who saved my life. The woman I'd had on a pedestal for such a long time. It was like meeting a celebrity, or a superhero. She'd always been a kind of superhero in my mind. A woman who could hold her own against a man. Something I didn't see much of.

When she wrapped her arms around me, however, she was soft. Her hair was very much like her son's in color, reddish brown, with a hint of gray, and it curtained over my shoulder. Her scent was warm, like her embrace, and I got a little emotional about it. Instincts had me reeling from the contact and I fought the need to jerk out of her hold, not wanting to insult her.

"Hiya, kiddo!" Mr. Fletcher pulled me into a short hug straight after.

Not wanting any awkward silence between us or to miss out on the opportunity to let them know how I felt, I stumbled over my words.

"It's so nice to meet you." I was surprised by how soft and shy my voice was.

The guys were already halfway up the stairs. Eric greeted the nurses and other people living in the house. It was more crowded than I expected, but not cluttered. It was a big house, but I worried about where we'd all be staying.

On my own with Eric's parents, I gulped. "I-uh- would have brought something, but I didn't know we were coming so soon. Although I don't think there is anything I could buy to show you how grateful I am for everything you did for me."

"Oh. Tsk. That was nothing. We're just glad you're okay." Mrs. Fletcher reached out and stroked my arm.

"Helping you helped us a lot more than you know. So maybe we should be the ones thanking you." Mr. Fletcher added. "Not for being kid—"

"Charles." One word from Mrs. Fletcher and Mr. Fletcher stopped talking.

Wow. I wished I had that superpower. The suddenness of it almost kicked a laugh out of me although I wasn't sure why. He had just brought up a traumatic incident for me and it should have made me recoil. Instead, I was pushing against the laughter bubbling inside me because I just knew he was arguing with her inside of his head, but didn't say another word out loud. Out of respect for her and even me? It was interesting. Or maybe I was just happy as hell to be here, finally. I didn't know why we hadn't done this sooner.

"It's okay. I understood what you meant." I smiled at him and he nodded. "I owe you both my life. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you."

"Oh, don't you worry about that. Just don't go breaking our son's heart." Mr. Fletcher nodded us further into the house.

Mrs. Fletcher looped her arm through mine. "She wouldn't do that, dear. She's such a sweetheart. Besides, I'm so excited about the wedding, I can hardly wait. Be prepared, honey, I'm about to talk your ear off. But this is about the best news we've gotten in a long time. Don't worry, I won't guilt you into wearing my old wedding dress. It's nothing but an old rag now anyway. Wasn't anything fancy. Just kind of threw something on for the occasion." She patted my arm and I swallowed hard. "Besides, a woman as beautiful as you deserves nothing but the best. I'm so happy you're here."

Yikes. So I guessed they didn't get the news yet about the wedding? I hoped I wouldn't be the one who would have to break it to them. A sickness rippled through my stomach as I stretched my lips across my teeth in a plastic smile.

Chapter 33

Charles Fletcher

"Boys! Why'd ya disappear so quickly?" I barged into Eric's old bedroom and interrupted them whispering about something. They spun around, fright splashed across their faces, but they recovered with a quick smile. That was until Eric's eyes drifted to the case in my hand.

"Dad!" He hurried over to me. "What are you doing with those? You know you're not supposed to be drinking with the meds." Eric swiped the case of beer from my hands.

"They weren't for me." I pulled in my brows and studied them. "It's been a while since we all caught up with each other. Thought I'd kick back with the boys like old times. Hang out, out back, introduce you to the gang."

"Yeah, okay, Dad. We'll meet you downstairs in a minute." His smile strained and he kept looking at the door. I knew when I wasn't welcomed. I was about to leave, but the darkness in Ryan's eyes as he sized up the beer paused me. A familiar darkness I'd seen in the mirror. In my wife's eyes. He was the only one not faking a smile.

And I could tell the others were faking it because, well, I knew my son and Ethan and Matt were posed awkwardly against the bed and the wall. If I closed my eyes and became still, I'd be able to hear their heartbeats.

"Did something else happen?" I asked.

All four of them started looking around the room, brows pulled together, almost like a performance.

"Something else?" Eric walked closer to me. He was being subtle about it but he was backing me up, out the door.

---